What is a Massage Therapist?

Massage Therapist Definition Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.

Life As a Massage Therapist

• Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients’ offices and homes.
• Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
• Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients’ skin.
• Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
• Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients’ recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
• Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.

What Every Massage Therapist Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Massage Therapists say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Types of Massage Therapists

• Swedish Masseuse
• Deep Tissue Massage Therapist
• Certified Massage Therapist (CMT)
• Masseuse
• Masseur

Is There Going to be Demand for Massage Therapists?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 160,300 jobs in the United States for Massage Therapists.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 26.3% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 42,100 new jobs for Massage Therapists by 2026. The BLS estimates 22,600 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Massage Therapists are California, Washington, and Florida.

Watch out if you plan on working in District of Columbia, Wyoming, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Massage Therapists Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Massage Therapists is somewhere between $21,340 and $78,280. The median salary is $41,420.

How much do Massage Therapists make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alaska	$82,280
Oregon	$64,360
Washington	$62,520
Hawaii	$61,750
Massachusetts	$53,750
Kentucky	$52,960
Minnesota	$52,910
New York	$52,830
Idaho	$50,560
Texas	$49,100
Indiana	$48,650
New Hampshire	$47,360
Montana	$46,500
Illinois	$46,340
Florida	$46,240
Colorado	$46,190
Nebraska	$45,340
New Jersey	$44,610
Vermont	$44,580
Tennessee	$44,190
Maine	$43,450
Connecticut	$43,170
Wyoming	$43,060
Pennsylvania	$42,730
Michigan	$42,710
Wisconsin	$42,440
Maryland	$42,430
Arizona	$42,340
New Mexico	$42,260
Arkansas	$41,890
Oklahoma	$41,770
North Carolina	$41,560
California	$41,460
South Carolina	$41,440
Rhode Island	$40,970
District of Columbia	$40,890
Utah	$40,880
Iowa	$40,030
North Dakota	$39,640
Ohio	$39,370
Virginia	$38,990
Georgia	$37,210
Missouri	$37,100
Alabama	$34,890
West Virginia	$34,750
South Dakota	$34,350
Louisiana	$30,060
Nevada	$29,620
Kansas	$29,370
Mississippi	$29,080

What Tools do Massage Therapists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Massage Therapists:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel

Where Massage Therapists Work

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming Massage Therapists might also be interested in the following careers:

• Dental Hygienists

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons